Roller-holder for photograph



sEsT AVAILABLE COP (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

W. H. WALKER & G. EASTMAN.

' ROLLER HOLDER FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC FILMS.

Patented May 5, 1885.

"4 PETERS P mlo-Lllhogupbon Washingmm n. c

BEST AVAILABLE COP- I 2 SheetQ-Sheet 2. W. H. WALKER & G. EASTMAN. ROLLER HOLDER FOR PHOTOGRAPHIO FILMS. No, 317,049;

(No Mqdel.)

Patented May 5, 1885. Fig;4.

Fig. 7.

- Fig 12 N. PTRS Poololjlhographer, Washington. 0. c.

. BEST AVAILABLE coP: I U ITED --STATES P TENT -OF-FICE.

WILLIAM H. w Lk R A D GEORGE E STMAN, or EoouEsrEE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNORS, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE EASTMAN DRY PLATE AND FILM COMPANY,- OF SAME rLAoE;

no ush- H o LDE R Fen jpu'or'oc {RA-PH Io FILMS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 317,049, dated May 5, 1885.

Application filed August- 8, 1884. (No model.)

To all whom/it may concern:

' Be it known that we, WILLIAM H. ,WALKER erHolders for Photographic Films, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

Our present invention relates to an improved apparatus for exposing sensitive photographic films in the camera, which apparatus is fully described in the accompanying specification and the novel features'thereof specified in thecla-imsannexed. i

Our improved roller-holder is represented in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a plan view. Fig. 2 represents the interior of the holder as seen from above,

the side of-the inclosing-casing being removed. Fig. 3 is a front view showing the interior of the roller-holder, the shutter and platform or support forthe film being removed. Fig. 4 is an end view, one of theends or sides of the casing being removed. Fig. 5 is a section on struction of the frietiondevice of the spool. Fig. 6 is a section -on the line y 3 Fig. 3. Fig. 7 is an end view of the reel, showing the device for attaching the end of the 'filmthereto. Fig. 8 is a side view of the same. Fi 9 is a transverse section through the 'reel. Fig. 10 is a transverse section through the spool., Fig. 11 is a longitudinal section, and Fig. 12 a transverse section, of a spool wound with film and inclosed in a light-tight case ready for market. Fig. 13 is a sectional View of one end of reel.

Our improved apparatus for exposing flexible films in the camera consists, essentially, of a suitable casing, A A, provided at its front with a rabbet, a, by which theholder may be attached to anyordinary camera light-tight, and with an exposing-shutter, B, of the usual type, which casing incloses two rollers, from one to the other of which the film is wound as it is exposed, a suitable frame-work for supporting the rollers in their proper positions, and the other parts of the apparatus.

Our invention also comprises guide-rollers,

the line a: .90, Figs. 2 and3, showing the-concase, in which the spools O, filled with film wound thereon, may be delivered to the trade. D is a roller on which the film is wound after exposure by means of the handle or key E, Fig. 2, which roller we call the reel. The spool G and the reel D are supported parallel to each other in the frames F F, which are preferably v attached to the back G, Fig. 2, which is. made removable, so that the whole apparatus may be taken out of the casing for thepurpose of removing any exposed films or of introducing a fresh full spool. The frames F F are preferably made of metal in any suitable form adapted to sustain thespool and reel, the platform or support I, over which the film'travels, and the guide-rollers J K. The frames are connected together in any suitable wayas,"for instance, by the rods H H, which may be, as shown in the drawings, tubes attached at either end to the frames by the screws 1) b. v 5

As the'spool G is designed to be used only once, we prefer to make it of wood, and to provide it at one end with a single central hole which receives the stud or pin a, Fig. 6, while at the other end the spool contains two holes, into which the pins d d, attached to the brake or friction device, are inserted. The body of the pin 0 is threaded and screws into a hole in the frame, being provided with the milled head L, Fig. 6. Provision is thus made for removing an empty spool and replacing it by a spool full of unexposed film.

The construction of the brake or friction device on the spool will be readily understood from the sectional view, Fig. 5.

N is a collar carrying the pins (1 d, which revolves in a suitable recess or bearing in the frame, being provided on the inside of the frame with a flange, f. A hub projecting from the collar outside of the frame is threaded, and has the clamp-nut O fitted thereon. Be;-

' sistance to turning.

tween the inner surface of the clamp-nut and unwound from the spool and wound onto t] the frame are placed the washer g and the collar e, of leather or other suitable material. 13 y screwing up the nut 0 any desired amount of friction may be produced, and the collar N and spool 0 caused to revolve with a suitable re- The collar N may be provided with a recess, 71 adapted to receive a key or other suitable device for turning the spool C, if desired. The end of the film may be attached to the spool C in any convenient way; but in practice we have adopted the exceedingly simple plan of cutting a narrow groove, e, Fig. 10, lengthwise in the surface of the spool, and of fastening the film therein by glue or other cement. The film P is at tached to the spool C and reel D, so that by turning the reel it is drawnalong ,from the spool about the guide-roller J, passes in front of the support I, and thence around the guideroll K to the reel. The guide-roll J may be made. of any suitable material; but we prefer to make itof wood for the sake of lightness, in which case it is provided with the pins 1' i, which revolve on the centers jj, inserted in the frame, one of which is made removable and provided with a thumb-nut, Q, Fig.. 3.

p The support I is 'a'fiat plate of any suitablematerial.

In the drawings it is represented as made of strips of wood secured to the frame by the' screws k, which project a short distance beyond the support, and by coming in contact with the interior of the casing prevent accidental injury to the'film when the apparatus is being inserted or removed. The

back G is attached to the casing by screws or any sui'table hooks or catches. The film-support I also answers as a septum or divisionplate to prevent the access of light to the film wound on the spool O or reel D. The guiderol' lerK is sustained in the frame at the opposite end of the support I by means similar I to those already described for the roller J.

r The reel D is hollow, being provided in its interior with a spring, R, which serves to maintain a sufficient tension on the film. The

reel is supported on a shaft, m, Fig. 3, which passes through suitable journals in theframes F F, and is provided at one end with the bevelgear S, and at the other end with the removable collar 01., attached to the shaft by a pin or other suitable device.

, The reel D, which consists, preferably, of a metallic tube, is provided at each 'end with -collars a b, which are free to revolve on the shaft m.

' Within the reel D is placed the spiral spring B, one end of which is attached atl to the reel or the reel-collar, while the other end is fastened at o to the sliding collar T, which is splined onto the reel-shaft m, so as to revolve therewith, being left free to slide endwise thereon. On turning the reel-shaft m the 5 spring R is compressed until its tension is greater than the resistance of the friction on the spool G, and when this occurs the film P will be drawn along in front of the support I,

reel. A slot, p, Fig. 3, is planed in the sha m, and the collar T is provided with a proje tion or lug, which slides cndwise in the slo The shaft on may be removed from the app ratus by taking off the collar n and drawing lengthwise through the reel and the journa in the frames.

In order to maintain the proper tension the film the shaft in is provided at one e1 with a ratchet, q, Figs. 2 and 3, into the tee of which the spring-pawl r, pivoted to t] frame, engages, so as to prevent the spring from uncoiling. A suitable tension is thl always maintained on the film by an elast spring, which yields to permit any contracti or expansion of the film due to varying eond tions of moisture in the atmosphere.

The bevel'gear S is omitted in Fig. 2 of t] drawings in order to show the ratchet at Spring )awl, its position being iudicatedl the dotted circles. The pawl r is provid with an extension or arm, t, by pressing which its point may be disengaged from tl teeth of the raehet, if at any time it be d sired to turn the reel backward, or from 16 to right in Fig. 8.

It is obvious that any suitable friction d vice may be substituted for the ratchet a1 pawl q 0' for the purpose of preventing tl rotation of the shaft on, the same being a ranged to be thrown out of action when d sired. The bevel-gear S on the reel-sha meshes with the bevel-pinion U, which is su ported in a suitable bearing attached to tl frame or the back G, and is provided wi' a squared stud to receive the removable k1 E, by which'motion is imparted to the re D. In the smaller sizes of holders the gea may be dispensed with, the end of the sh: or being arranged to receive aremovable kl or other device by which the reel is revolve The film is attached to the reel D by mea of the swinging clip 1:, which is shown op at o and closed at e in Figs. 7 and 8. A fl place is formed in the side of the reel, and t bar or clip v, which swings on arms w w, pi oted to the ends of the reel, clamps the film the reel. The arrangement will be undc stood from the sectional view, Fig. 9, in whi the end of the film is bent over the edge oft clip .in such direction that turning the reel as to unwind the film from the spool Gdra the clip firmly down against the flatten side of the reel and clamps the film firm thereto. It will also be observed that the fil is wound onto the reel in such a direction th the chemical side is inward, thereby affordii protection from injury to the film.

The gears are used for the purpose of e abling the operator to manipulate the fii from .the back of the holder, as it would be eidedly inconvenient to work from the top i large sizes. Provision should be made to p1 vent the access of light to the interior of t holder at the point where the key is appli to the pinion or reel shaft.

length of film for each exposure, and by which we indicate the proper points to divide the separate exposures from each other, remain to be described. We measure the proper length 8, Fig. 3, on-the guide-roller J or K to strike againsta spring, a, which, when released from v the point of the pin, recoils and strikes against the frame, support, or casing, causing a sharp snapping noise, or succession of snaps, which attract the attention of the operator and warn him that he has drawn enough film irom the spool for the next exposure. The diameter of the guide-roll J is proportioned to the length of the film to be exposed, thus for a ten-inch exposure it is convenient to make the guideroll four-fifths of an inch in diameter, so that four times its circumference will be ten inches. The operator will in this case turn the reel D until he hears four snaps caused by the spring a, when he knows that the desired lengthof film has been drawn along in front of the support I. In a similar manner the size of the guide-roll maybe proportioned to any desired length of film to be exposed, being made to regive the gear but one revolution for as many turns of the roller as may be required to meas? u're'the desired length of film, in which case the operator will stop turning the reel when he hears the first snap.

spring a as attached to the rear side of the support I, and arranged to strike against the same when released from the pin 8.

In order to indicate the places at -which those portions of the film which have; been separately exposed should be divided, we employ on one of the guide-rollers the marking device y, which consists of a point projecting from the roller and operating to perforate or mark the filni near its edge at each revolution. With the size of roller J, already mentioned, the film would require to be divided at every fourth mark.

The marking device may be a simple point of suitable length fixed in the roller; but we prefer to arrange it to slide endwise in the roll, its shank 2 being inserted in a hole bored longitudinally therein, so that it can be removed entirely or slid outside of the edge, as

at 3 Fig. 3, of the film, in order to avoid marking the film in reeling it back from the reel to the spool.

In cases where it is desired to remove the film without dividing it, it can be reeled back onto the spool and'the spool taken out with the exposed film thereon.

- The operation ofour improved roller-holder for photographic films will have been already understood from the foregoing description. The spool of film having been inserted in the holder and the roller J being in place, the operator passes the film over the support I and of the film for each exposure by causing apin,

volve any preferred number of times. The pin 8 may be carried by agear-wheel meshing with a pinion on the guide'roll, arranged to In the drawings we have represented the BEST AVAILABLE COP 3 The devicesby which we measure the proper l attaches its end to the reel 1) by means of the clip 22. The holder is now ready to be used in making exposures in the camera. After each exposure the operator turns the key E until the spring a warns him by the noise of its recoil that he has drawn a suifieient length of film from the spool. On returning to his darkroom the exposed parts of the film are separated from the unused portion, the end of the latter being again attached to the reel, when p the holder is ready for other exposures, and

'so on until the spool of film is entirely exhausted. The tension device serves to roll the film tightly on the reel, thereby avoiding abrasion, and in rewinding from the reel onto the spool a sufiicient tension may be secured by pressing the hand against the back of the film on the reel; or a friction device may be applied to the reel if desired, it being understood that the operation of rewinding, if necessary, is performed in the dark-room.

In Figs. 11 and 12 we have represented a spool full of flexible sensitive photographic film attached to the removable spool which we design to employ in our improved rollerholder and inclosed in a light-tight case.

The drawings show the manner of preparing the films for the market, so that they may be transported from place to place without suffering injury.

The spool C is provided at each endwith suitable means for attaching it to the journals in the roller-holder, so that it may be sup-. ported and allowed to revolve therein, which means may consist of the recesses in the ends a pasteboard box having a removable cap or end, B, in which condition the film is delivered to the trade.

It is obvious that many modifications may be made in the form of spool employed and inthemeansofattachingittotheholder. Thus the spool may be tubular, arranged to slide over asuitable spindle or journal in the holder, and connected in any suitable manner with its operating devices.

Any kind of flexible sensitive photographic film may be prepared for use in roller-holders in accordance with ourimprovements,as herein described.

1. The combination, in an apparatus for exposing sensitive flexible photographic films, of two parallel rollers for operating the film,- one of which is provided with a brake or friction device, while the other has applied to it I 4 317,049BESTAVAILABLECOP.

reel D, film-support I, and guide-rollers J and K, with a device acting to maintain the film in a tense condition during exposure, substantially as described.

4. In a roller-holder for exposing photographic-films, the reel .D,-providcd with swinging clip 12, for fastening the end of the film tothe reel, substantially as described.

5. The combination, with the reel D, provided with means for attaching the film thereto, of the shaft m, spring R, and collar T, substantially as described.

6. The combination, with the reel D, provided with means for attaching the film thereto, and: for preventing the reverse motion of the reel, of the shaft m, spring R, and collar T, substantially as described.

7. The combination, in a roller-holder for exposing photographic films, of the spool O, film-support I, reel D, and bevel-gears S U,

- substantially as described.

8. The combination, with the casing A, adapted to be attached to a camera, and provided with the'exposing -shutter B, of the removable back G, carrying the frames F F, spool G, film-support I, and reel D, substantially as described,

9. In a roller-holder for exposing photographic films, and in combination with the spool and reel, as described, a measuringroll in contact with the film,- and provided with an alarm device, in combination with a filmsupport and devices for feeding the film across said-support and roller, substantially as described.

10. The combinatiomin a roller-holder for exposing photographic films, of the measuring-roll J, provided with lug or pin 8, and the spring u, arranged to operate substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

11. The combination, in a roller-holder for exposing flexible photographic films, of the measuring-roll J and removablefilm-marking point y, substantially as described.

12. The combination, with the measuringroll J, of the film-marking point arranged to be adjusted lengthwise of the roll, substantially as described. f

13. The combination, with a roller-holder for exposingphotographic films, of a measuring-roll in contact with the film, and provided with an alarm attachment and afilm-marking device, substantially as described.

14;. The combination, in a roller-holder for exposing photographic films, of the spool 0, pins c'and d d, collar N, and nut O, substantially as described.

15.- The combination, in a roller'holder for exposing photographic films, of the spool 0, pins 0 and d d, collar N, nut 0, reel D, spring R, shaft m, and pawl and racthet'g 1*, substa tially as described.

16. In a roller-holder, the removable fih carrying spool G, provided at its end wi1 means for attaching it to a revolving jou-rn provided with a friction device, substantial as described.

17. In a roller-holder, the removable filr carrying spool 0, provided on its ends wiI recesses for the reception of the pins 0 and d, and slot 6, substantially as described.

18. The combination, with the casing! adapted to be attached to a camera, and pr vided with the exposing-shutter B, of the r movable back G, carrying the frames F F spool O, guide rolls J and K, and reel D", sul stantially as described.

19. As a new article of manufacture, tlt herein-described roll of flcxiblesensitive phot' graphic film, having its inner end attached 1 aspool, provided with means for'inserting tl spool and roll in a roller-holder, and inclose ina suitable light-tight case or wrapper, sul stantially as described.

20. The combination, with spool 0, reel I and guide-rollers J K, arranged substantial] as described, of the flexible photographic fih wound upon the spool and reel with its sens tized face inward and passing over rollers K, with its sensitized face outward, substai tially as indicated.

21. In combination with the light-excluc' ing case and the roller or reel for winding th film after exposure, arranged within said cast the devices for actuating said reel from the e: terior of the case, and a tension-regulator i1 termediate the actuating devices and ree whereby in winding the film upon the 1'61 the power is transmitted to the latter throng the said tension-regulator, substantially as an for the purpose described.

22. In combination with the spool carryin the film-supply, a yielding brake meehanisl applied thereto, a winding-reel and actuatin mechanism therefor, an elastic tension devi( intermediate the reel and its actuating mecl anism, substantially as described.

23. In a photographic-film holder, and i combination with the inelosing-case, fillll-Sll] ply spool and winding-reel, a brake applie to the spool, a tension device applied to tl reel, and an actuating device having a deter and operating through the tension devicet turn the reel, substantially as described.

24. In a photographic-film holder, and i combination with the light-excluding case pr vided with a shutter, as described, the remo able back, and the film carrying and reelin mechanism supported wholly upon said bacl whereby the reeling and carrying devices ma be withdrawn from the case to facilitate tl operations of removing the film after exposu1 and inserting a new film, substantially as d scribed.

25. In a photographicfihn holder, and i combination with 'the inclosing-case and ti reel D, provided wit-h means for detachabl I combination with its inclosing-case, a film carrylng and straining mechanism independently mounted and inserted within the said case and removably attached thereto, substantially as described.

27. In a photographic-film holder, and in combination with the'inclosing-case, a spool carrying the sensitized film, a reel for unwinding the film from the spool and winding it up after exposure, and an adjustable frictionbrake applied to said spool, whereby the degreeof tension to "which the film will be subjectedwhen drawn from the spool is determined, substantially as described.

' 28'. Asanew article of'man'ufacture, the herein-described roll of flexible sensitive photographic film consisting,'essentially, of a spool provided with means for detachably applying; it to a holder, and a'strip or roll of flexible,

sensitive film. attached at one end to the spool and wound with its sensitive face inward, substantially as described.

29." In a photographic-film holder, and in combination with a film-supply holder, and a feeding mechanism for transferring the film from the holder and into position for exposure,

-- a tension-regulator ap plied to the film and acting to supplement the pull of the feeding mechanism, substantially as described.

30. In a photographic holder wherein are embodied an inclosing'case with exposing-aperture, afilm-supply holder, and a feeding mechanism such as indicated, and in combination with said supply-holder and feeding mechanism, a supplemental tension-regulator applied to the film and operating, after the requisite feed has beeneffected, to maintain a constant pull upon thefilm lying between the supports and in front of the exposingaperture, substantially as described.

31. In a photographic holder, and in com-' bination with a film-supply holder and a feeding mechanism for withdrawing a portion of the film from theholder and sustaining it in position during exposure, a brake affording a 317,549 BEST AVAILABLE OPY determined resistance to the pull of the feeding mechanism, a detent for preventing the recoil of the feeding mechanism, and a tension device aetingupon the film to supplement the action of the feeding device and pro- 'duce a tension of the film, substantially as described. v

32. In a photographic-film holder such as described,'aud in combination with the film carrying and feeding devices, an elastic tension-regulator adapted to draw upon and strain the film between its supports and to continue such action during the feeding of the film and independently of the feeding devices, substantially as described.

33. The combination, with the spool carrying the film-supply, the reel, and a spindle for actuating the reel, an elastic tension-regu' lator intermediate the said spindle and reel,

'whereby the motion to feed the film is trans mitted through the said tension device, substantially as described.

34. In a photographic holder such as described, and in combination with a device for holding the film-supply, a winding-reel towhich one end of the film is attached, and an elastic tension device applied to said reel and operating to rotate the latter, substantially as described.

35. In a photographic-film holder, and in combination with its inclosing case and shutter, a frame detaehably secured within said case, and provided withbearings to receive the detachable film-supply spool and reel, sub- 

